Old Car Festival

At the longest-running antique car show in America, you’ll be immersed in the moving stories of the early automotive era, perfectly set in the place where the history of the American automobile not only is passionately preserved but comes to life every day. From the turn of the century to the Great Depression, Old Car Festival in Greenfield Village offers a raucous ride of vehicles that epitomize the earnest optimism of the American Dream.

Generations of car owners share their passion with fans during this beloved tradition, showcasing an astounding array of restored vehicles in an authentic hometown setting that brings you right into a long-ago moment.

Wander through the village, and talk to owners about their treasured vehicles. The ongoing Pass-in-Review parade is a car lover’s dream, as electric, steam and gas-powered engines are constantly in motion around you. Watch drivers engage in games of skill, see a Model T assembled in just minutes or just sit back and enjoy our experts sharing "car talks" while historic vehicles cruise.

Ragtime America comes to life in the center of Greenfield Village with historically-inspired street food, music, dancing and even a cake walk. Plan to stay late Saturday evening for the Gaslight Parade of Cars, and dance along with the River Raisin Ragtime Revue as it performs popular music of the ragtime era. Cap off the evening with a Dixieland-style parade and fireworks finale.

For 2018, Old Car Festival celebrates a century of factory- built pick-up trucks. Ford Motor Company introduced its Model TT – essentially a Model T with a heftier frame and drivetrain – in 1917. Ford built only three trucks that first year, but more than 40,000 TTs left the factory the following year. Chevrolet entered the truck market in 1918, selling its first half-ton and one-ton models. Truck production wasn’t the only milestone for the bowtie brand that year. After losing control of General Motors in 1910, William C. Durant founded Chevrolet as a means to rebuild his fortune – and regain GM. Chevy’s runaway success made it possible. Restored to power, Durant formally merged Chevrolet into the General Motors family in 1918. Billy Durant was ousted again in 1920, but Chevrolet thrived as GM’s best-selling brand – a position it still holds today.